Video: Suzanne Awalt - Honoring a Lifetime of Generosity

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What began as a seemingly simple introduction to Heifer became a lifelong mission for Suzanne Awalt and her husband Roy. Suzanne was serving in the Air Force at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif., at the age of 26 when she learned about Heifer’s work through their local church.

Following retirement, Suzanne immersed herself in volunteering at a learning center in California by giving farm tours and helping with children’s camp. Her love for Heifer took her to projects in Peru, Bolivia, Albania, Poland and Kosovo where she was transformed by the experiences of meeting the farmers and project families.

In 1998, Suzanne fully embraced her nomination to the Board of Directors. The role led her to more opportunities to speak publicly about Heifer’s work where she talked about her pride in the organization’s role as a world leader in hunger and poverty alleviation.

Suzanne credits her husband Roy with becoming involved with the Heifer Foundation. The couple donated proceeds from a property sale and established a charitable remainder trust was established and funded through the sale. When Roy passed away in 2006, Suzanne established the Awalt Family Endowment to honor his memory through the Heifer Foundation.